Em 15 segundos
- To voluntarily let go of a right, possession, or desire.
- Always use the preposition 'de' after the phrase.
- Implies a conscious sacrifice rather than a failure.
Significado
It means to voluntarily let go of something you want, need, or own. It is like saying 'I will pass on this' or 'I am sacrificing this' for a specific reason.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Sharing food with a friend
Eu abro mão do último pedaço de bolo para você.
I'll give up the last piece of cake for you.
In a business negotiation
A empresa não pode abrir mão desse contrato agora.
The company cannot give up this contract right now.
Talking about personal non-negotiables
Eu não abro mão de viajar nas minhas férias.
I don't give up on traveling during my vacations.
Contexto cultural
In Brazil, 'abrir mão' is often used to describe the sacrifices made for family, reflecting a strong emphasis on kinship.
The 'de' rule
Always check the gender of the noun following 'abrir mão'. It will change your 'de' to 'do', 'da', 'dos', or 'das'.
Em 15 segundos
- To voluntarily let go of a right, possession, or desire.
- Always use the preposition 'de' after the phrase.
- Implies a conscious sacrifice rather than a failure.
What It Means
Imagine you are holding something tightly in your fist. To abrir mão is to literally open your hand and let it drop. It is not just about losing something by accident. It is a conscious choice to give up a right, a possession, or a desire. You use it when you decide that something else is more important. It feels more noble than just 'quitting.'
How To Use It
You always need the preposition de after the phrase. If you are giving up 'it,' you say abrir mão disso. It works just like a regular verb. You can say eu abro mão (I give up) or nós abrimos mão (we give up). It is perfect for negotiations or personal sacrifices. Use it when you are being the 'bigger person' in a conversation.
When To Use It
Use it at a restaurant when you give the last slice of pizza to a friend. Use it in a job interview to discuss flexibility with your salary. It is great for emotional moments too. If you are texting a friend about a breakup, you might say you had to abrir mão of the relationship. It sounds mature and thoughtful. It is the language of compromise and adulthood.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for habits like smoking or drinking. For those, use parar de. If you stop a project because you are lazy, that is desistir. Abrir mão implies you are giving up something valuable or a right you actually have. Don't use it if the choice wasn't yours. If the bank takes your car, you didn't abrir mão of it; they just took it!
Cultural Background
Brazilians are known for being flexible and 'jeitosos.' However, abrir mão carries a weight of character. In Brazilian history and law, this phrase is used for 'waiving' rights. It suggests a level of generosity or pragmatism. It reflects a culture that values social harmony over being right all the time. Sometimes you 'open your hand' just to keep the peace at the Sunday BBQ.
Common Variations
You might hear não abro mão. This is a very common way to say something is non-negotiable. If you love your morning coffee, you say não abro mão do meu café. It is a strong statement of preference. It shows that some things in life are simply sacred to you. It is the 'hill you are willing to die on' in a conversation.
Notas de uso
The phrase is extremely versatile, sitting right in the 'neutral' category. It requires the preposition 'de' and is most commonly used in the present tense to state preferences or the past tense to describe sacrifices made.
The 'de' rule
Always check the gender of the noun following 'abrir mão'. It will change your 'de' to 'do', 'da', 'dos', or 'das'.
Exemplos
6Eu abro mão do último pedaço de bolo para você.
I'll give up the last piece of cake for you.
Shows a small, friendly sacrifice.
A empresa não pode abrir mão desse contrato agora.
The company cannot give up this contract right now.
Used here as 'waiving' or 'relinquishing' a professional asset.
Eu não abro mão de viajar nas minhas férias.
I don't give up on traveling during my vacations.
The negative form emphasizes a firm requirement.
Ela abriu mão da carreira para cuidar dos filhos.
She gave up her career to take care of her children.
Expresses a significant, emotional life sacrifice.
Tive que abrir mão do cinema hoje, muito trabalho!
I had to give up the movie today, too much work!
A common way to explain why you can't do something.
Eu abro mão de tudo, menos do meu chocolate!
I'll give up everything except for my chocolate!
Uses the phrase to show a funny obsession.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition.
Eu decidi abrir mão ___ minha parte na herança.
Since 'parte' is feminine, we use 'da' (de + a).
🎉 Pontuação: /1
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
1 exerciciosEu decidi abrir mão ___ minha parte na herança.
Since 'parte' is feminine, we use 'da' (de + a).
🎉 Pontuação: /1
Perguntas frequentes
1 perguntasNo, it is for things, rights, or desires. You don't 'abrir mão' of a person.
Frases relacionadas
deixar de
similarto stop doing
